28th September

Council Employees Demand Payrise

The Council Employees strike is a recent development in Luderitz and caused many problems in the town. The employees decided to stop working due to salary issues, so there was overflowing sewage, rubbish scattered all around the town and bad smells permeating into shops and houses. They also took away all the equipment used to drain sewers and the like, which means even if anybody wanted to clean up, they couldn’t. Around town, there were also talks of threats to turn off water and electricity which would cause serious problems for businesses and homes. No one knew how long a strike like this could last, and people were very unhappy with the consequences. There was sewage running through the middle of Area 7, overflowing rubbish bins and litter all over the street. The Council were busy with negotiations with the union throughout the strike, and it was thankfully resolved before any damage occurred.

Workers are asking for N$350 increase in pay, while the council management offered only 4%.

The LTC applied for a court interdict, so that essential services which could cause hazards could be attended to, these included garbage disposable and dealing with sewage. The efforts by the private sector to keep the town clean are greatly appreciated. Thankfully the strike ended on the 16th of September and our town has now returned to normal. Ingrid Morgan would also like to point out that LTC salaries and wages are paid for by water and electricity bills being paid in the town, not by central government. Revenue received from rates and taxes is used for the infrastructure of the town.

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